THE PILOT of a coastguard helicopter has been suspended after images posted online appeared to show the aircraft stopping on a Scottish island to collect meat from a butcher.

An investigation has been launched after the Shetland-based helicopter was filmed landing in a field at the back of the shop on Orkney.

Aberdeen-based firm CHC Helicopter provide search and rescue services to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and the company insisted the aircraft had finished a training exercise at the time of the incident.

Footage appears to show the crew collecting a parcel from Craigie Butchers before getting back on the helicopter.

A CHC spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a pilot has been suspended pending the results of a formal investigation.

"We expect high standards of professionalism from all our employees and if we find these have not been met, we will take the appropriate action.

"While the aircraft was previously engaged in a training exercise, it was operating a non-revenue flight at the time of the incident in question."

As the exercise had been completed, the flying was not on behalf of the coastguard, meaning CHC would cover the costs met as it does for all non-operational flying.

A spokesman for the MCA said: "We are aware of an incident involving a Coastguard helicopter based at Shetland and have asked our contractor, CHC, to investigate as a matter of urgency.

"The MCA regards any misuse of these assets as completely unacceptable and await the outcome of this investigation."